All-Party Meet Deadlocked, Government Rules Out Resignations

UFA, RUSSIA - JULY 9: In this handout image supplied by Host Photo Agency / RIA Novosti, Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi during a meeting with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani during BRICS/SCO Summits - Russia 2015 on July 09, 2015 in Ufa, Russia. (Photo by Sergey Guneev/Host Photo Agency/Ria Novosti via Getty Images)

NEW DELHI -- Setting the stage for confrontation in Parliament, an all-party meeting called here on the eve of the Monsoon session today ended in a deadlock over controversies related to Lalit Modi and Vyapam scam even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered to discuss all issues.

The government ruled out any resignations.

"There is no question of accepting ultimatum by anybody. From where did the question of resignation arise? Nobody can dictate terms to the government. From Government side, no Union Minister has done anything illegal or immoral," Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said.

The Prime Minister chose the occasion to remind parties that smooth running of Parliament is a "shared responsibility" though the government has to take initiative for it.

He appealed to them to utilise Parliament time for discussing all issues.

On the Land bill, the Prime Minister expressed agreement with the remarks by Ram Gopal Yadav that since there is no consensus on the issue, both government and opposition should make some adjustments to resolve the issue.

Congress was, however, somewhat isolated at the meeting called by Naidu on its stand of not allowing Parliament to function if Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje did not resign in connection with Lalit Modi row and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan did not quit over Vyapam scam.

A number of parties felt a washout of Parliament is not a solution.

"This is not correct. Parliament will run but government must allow discussion," JD(U) President Sharad Yadav said when asked about the Congress stand.

Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav was skeptical about the smooth functioning of Parliament. "I do not think this will be resolved. Weather seems bad from now itself."

Naidu said that 29 opposition parties did not back the Congress stand on not allowing the House to function.